<<–2/”>a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/5653-2/”>h2>SEWA: A Movement for Self-Reliance and Empowerment
What is SEWA?
SEWA, which stands for Self-Employed Women‘s Association, is a grassroots trade union and development organization based in India. Founded in 1972 by Ela Bhatt, SEWA’s mission is to empower women in the informal sector through collective action, Economic Development, and social Justice.
SEWA’s Vision and Mission
- Vision: A just and equitable Society where women are empowered to live with dignity and self-reliance.
- Mission: To organize and empower women in the informal sector through collective action, economic development, and social justice.
Key Activities of SEWA
SEWA’s activities are multifaceted and encompass various aspects of women’s lives, including:
- Trade Unionism: SEWA acts as a trade union for its members, advocating for their rights and interests, negotiating wages and working conditions, and providing legal aid.
- Economic Development: SEWA provides microfinance, training, and market access to its members, enabling them to start and grow their own businesses.
- Social Justice: SEWA works to address issues of gender inequality, poverty, and social exclusion, promoting women’s rights and access to Education, healthcare, and other essential Services.
- Health and Education: SEWA provides healthcare services, including maternal and child health, and promotes education and Literacy among its members.
- Environmental Sustainability: SEWA promotes sustainable practices and environmental awareness among its members, encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly methods in their work.
SEWA’s Impact
SEWA has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of women in India. Some of its key achievements include:
- Organizing over 2 million women: SEWA has successfully organized over 2 million women in the informal sector, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and fight for their rights.
- Improving livelihoods: SEWA’s microfinance programs have helped countless women start and grow their businesses, leading to increased income and economic security.
- Empowering women: SEWA’s work has empowered women to take control of their lives, participate in decision-making, and become active members of their communities.
- Advocating for policy change: SEWA has played a significant role in advocating for policy changes that benefit women in the informal sector, including the introduction of social security schemes and labor laws.
SEWA’s Structure and Organization
SEWA is a decentralized organization with a strong grassroots structure. It operates through a Network of branches and units across India, with each unit managed by elected representatives of its members.
Table 1: SEWA’s Organizational Structure
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| National Level | National Executive Committee, National Secretariat |
| State Level | State Committees, State Secretariats |
| District Level | District Committees, District Secretariats |
| Branch Level | Branch Committees, Branch Secretariats |
| Unit Level | Unit Committees, Unit Secretaries |
SEWA’s Membership
SEWA’s membership is open to all women working in the informal sector, regardless of their caste, religion, or social background. The majority of SEWA’s members are engaged in various occupations, including:
- agriculture: Farmers, farm laborers, and agricultural workers.
- Handicrafts: Weavers, embroiderers, potters, and other artisans.
- Street Vendors: Food vendors, vegetable sellers, and other street hawkers.
- Domestic Workers: Housemaids, cooks, and cleaners.
- Construction Workers: Bricklayers, masons, and laborers.
Table 2: SEWA’s Membership by Occupation
| Occupation | Percentage of Membership |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | 40% |
| Handicrafts | 25% |
| Street Vendors | 15% |
| Domestic Workers | 10% |
| Construction Workers | 5% |
| Others | 5% |
SEWA’s Challenges and Future Directions
Despite its significant achievements, SEWA faces several challenges, including:
- Growing informal sector: The informal sector in India is expanding rapidly, making it difficult for SEWA to reach all women in need.
- Competition from organized sector: The rise of the organized sector is putting pressure on women in the informal sector, leading to lower wages and reduced job security.
- Lack of government support: The Indian government has not always been supportive of SEWA’s work, leading to challenges in accessing Resources and implementing programs.
SEWA is actively working to address these challenges and expand its reach to more women. Its future directions include:
- Strengthening its grassroots organization: SEWA is working to strengthen its grassroots organization by empowering its members and providing them with Leadership training.
- Developing new economic opportunities: SEWA is exploring new economic opportunities for its members, including promoting Entrepreneurship and developing new markets for their products.
- Advocating for policy change: SEWA continues to advocate for policy changes that benefit women in the informal sector, including the introduction of social security schemes and labor laws.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the main purpose of SEWA?
A: SEWA’s main purpose is to empower women in the informal sector through collective action, economic development, and social justice.
Q: Who can become a member of SEWA?
A: Any woman working in the informal sector can become a member of SEWA, regardless of her caste, religion, or social background.
Q: What are the benefits of being a member of SEWA?
A: Members of SEWA benefit from access to microfinance, training, market access, legal aid, healthcare services, and a platform to voice their concerns and fight for their rights.
Q: How does SEWA fund its activities?
A: SEWA receives funding from various sources, including membership fees, donations, grants, and loans.
Q: What are some of the challenges faced by SEWA?
A: SEWA faces challenges such as the growing informal sector, competition from the organized sector, and lack of government support.
Q: What are SEWA’s future plans?
A: SEWA plans to strengthen its grassroots organization, develop new economic opportunities for its members, and advocate for policy changes that benefit women in the informal sector.